To wonder if after-school clubs with a cost to attend are fair?

[FourArms]

I'm genuinely not sure what to think about this. Probably should have posted in Primary Education, but knew I'd get more responses here!

I attended an advertising assembly today for an after-school club run by an organisation from outside of the school.

For a 6 week course, it would be £42, so £7 per session. This is for 1 hour per week, straight after school.

The school is in a more deprived area of the city. Not all of the children are going to be able to afford the club fees. Is it wrong for the school to send home newsletters advertising the club? Bearing in mind the kids have just seen an assembly to show how fantastic it will be, and will probably want to come along. A member of staff at the assembly commented that to allow the club to go ahead, with a cost to the parents, would make it elitist.

At my DS1's school they have free after school clubs (as this school does too), and paid for clubs (I think at present this school doesn't have any paid for clubs). However, the one my DS1 goes to is £12 for 6 weeks (I think!) and is a multiskills club run by GOALS. Not nearly as expensive, and within the reaches of most household budgets (of DS1's school). I have no idea if PTA or other funding is available for children who cannot access paid for after school clubs at DS1's school, perhaps it is?

Anyway - fair, or elitist.. what do you think? How does it work at your DC's school?

It was all science stuff, but it didn't start off as 'this is what you could do at the club' or anything. I don't know how the kids had been prepped by the teachers though. It was like a v.v.v.exciting science lesson crossed with a kids party entertainer session.

Obviously sorry for kids whose parents who can't afford it but I don't think you can say it elitest because cost is only one barrier to attendance.

Children from more well off families might not be able to attend because they both work and the club doesn't fit in with their after-school care arrangements.

There are lots of reasons why kids can't do things, but why stop the children who can benefiting?

V.good points there, more food for thought, thanks!

Our school has a paying ASC. 1st child £7 a session (so up until 5.30) and 10% discount for each sibling.

It has a waiting list and I am in a Midlands City.

Our school does have an ethics policy whereby it doesn't ask parents to use a certain business in exchange for a commission, but will without gain, promote children's services.

Schools are under pressure to offer a 'varied menu of activities' which is part of the core offer of extended schools. All schools have to meet the core offer by Sept 2010. So I guess this is part of the reason why they are promoting these activities in assemblies. I would be surprised if the school are not charging a private provider for the use of their hall.